Why is glycerin used in some flavors and imitation extracts?
Glycerin, like propylene glycol, is used as a solvent in flavors. While propylene glycol has superior solvent characteristics, it is bitter tasting and there is a limit to how much can be used in a flavor formulation without imparting a bitter note. Glycerin, therefore, is sometimes used in flavor with propylene glycol to help improve its solubility and reduce the amount of propylene glycol needed. Natural glycerin is also one of the few organic compliant solvents a flavor chemist has to use. As a result, it is increasingly being used in flavors for organic products.
